Cincinnati Reds lefthander Aroldis Chapman, who might make the transition from closer to starter this season, let his opinion be known about which role he prefers.

"In the beginning when I started closing, it was something I didn't know," Chapman told the team’s website via his translator. "But as I started throwing and getting into the late part of the game when the game is more exciting and has more meaning, I kind of liked it. Yeah, the adrenaline goes up and I like to be in that situation. I would like to be a closer, yeah, but there are some things that I can't control."

Manager Dusty Baker said earlier this week that he would like to make a decision on Chapman soon, and The Cincinnati Enquirer noted that Baker would prefer to have Chapman remain in his ninth-inning role. His decision might have just gotten easier, given Chapman’s comfort level as closer.

"I was going to talk to him after he pitched today for that purpose," Baker told the website. "You hear all kinds of stuff from this camp, people talking and everybody thinks they're in the know. We were going to do what's best for the organization and for him. But he makes it a lot easier when you get the person's blessing."

Chapman was signed in 2010 after he defected from Cuba, where he had been a starter. However, all 137 of his career major league appearances have come as a reliever. In his first season as closer in 2012, Chapman went 5-5 with a 1.51 ERA, 38 saves and 122 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings.

If Chapman starts, Mike Leake likely will move from the rotation to the bullpen. If Chapman relieves, it would bump Jonathan Broxton from a closer role to a setup role.